Phenobarbitone-induced haematological abnormalities in idiopathic epileptic dogs: prevalence, risk factors, clinical presentation and outcome

摘要

Phenobarbitone (PB) is one of the most commonly used antiepileptic drugs in dogs and cats. PB is reported to be effective in reducing or eradicating seizure activity in 60 to 85 per cent of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) if serum concentration ismaintained within the therapeutic range.Several different side effects have been found to be related to PB in dogs. Sedation, ataxia, polyphagia, polyuria/polydipsia and weight gain are common dose-related adverse effects that generally improve or resolve after the serum level of PB reaches asteady state. In some cases these are permanent and affect the dog's quality of life. PB-induced haematological abnormalities (PBIHA) such as anaemia, thrombocytopenia and/or neutropenia have been reported in small case series. The prevalence of these abnormalities has not been thoroughly investigated.